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A LOCAL woman has been left with nothing but the clothes she was wearing after a house fire in Havannah Street on Friday night.
Tracey Humphries escaped the weatherboard house before the blaze fully took hold, but she was unable to rescue her six beloved dogs.
The fire is believed to have started at around 8.30pm.
Forensic experts have examined the scene, but the cause of the fire is still undetermined.
Belinda Johan, a family friend, said Ms Humphries, who was alone in the house, was in her bedroom when she heard a loud bang.
She went to investigate, and found herself facing a wall of flame. She fled the house, calling for her dogs Jelly, Daisy, Coco, Dexter, Gypsy and Babi to come.
Ms Humphries tried to go back in for her pets, but the fire was too intense. A neighbour came to her aid, but there was nothing they could do.
Ms Humphries has three grown children and a number of grandchildren.
Ms Johan said with the three-bedroom weatherboard house a twisted and blackened wreck, her friend is left with nothing but the clothes she was wearing when the fire broke out.
Once the site had cooled and the forensic teams were finished with their investigation, she was able to poke through the ashes and find a couple of photo albums.
She is staying with family right now, but an appeal has been set up with the Greater Building Society to help the family get back on their feet.
“Christmas is a terrible time for something like this to happen,” Ms Johan said.
Donations can be made to Greater Building Society, account number – 720082454, BSB – 637-000. The account name is under the family name, Gallegos.
Ms Johan said if anyone wants to help and has household items that might make life a bit easier for Ms Humphries, they can contact her on 0414 207 221.
Fire Inspector Tom Freedom said a gas main at the house ruptured, feeding the fire to such an extent that firefighters were forced back until it could be isolated by the gas authority. They turned to defending neighbouring properties which had been evacuated.
Ms Humphries’ car, which was in a carport separate from the house, was also destroyed due to the fire’s intensity.
Inspector Freedom said two trucks were dispatched from Bathurst, along with a spare tanker.
Bathurst Hazmat also attended, along with a pumper from the Kelso brigade. RFS Rescue were also on the scene, along with Bathurst police and paramedics.
Inspector Freedom said once the gas main had been isolated, firefighters were able to complete their attack on the fire.
“I am very pleased with the way they fought this fire,” he said.
“Incredibly, there were no injuries and no human fatalities, although it is sad that those poor dogs were lost.
“I think the resident was very, very lucky to have made it out when she did.”
Ms Humphries had lived in the house for close to 20 years. She wished to thank the fire officers and police who responded and fought so hard for her home.
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